Monthly Archive for November, 2010

Kit Carson Windpower Project operational

Published on November 30, 2010 in Clean Energy and Renewable Energy. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

On Nov. 29th the Kit Carson Windpower Project, a 51-megawatt wind farm located in east-central Colorado was completed. The wholesale power supplier is purchasing the output of the facility through a 20-year agreement with a subsidiary of Duke Energy Corp.

“The Kit Carson Windpower Project is another component in the continuing diversification of Tri-State’s resource portfolio to meet the power requirements of our 44 member distribution cooperatives,” said Ken Anderson, Tri-State’s executive vice president and general manager. “This project serves as a good example of our ability to harness one of the abundant renewable energy resources that exist in our member system service territory.”

The Kit Carson Windpower Project, the latest utility-scale renewable project to come online in Colorado, was named for the county in which it is located. The facility is comprised of 34, 1.5-megawatt General Electric turbines situated on a 6,000-acre site northwest of Burlington, Colo. — within the service territory of Tri-State member co-op K.C. Electric Association.

Statement regarding Southern Colorado transmission project PUC decision

Published on November 19, 2010 in Transmission. 0 Comments Tags: , , .

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association today issued the following statement in response to the Colorado Public Utilities Commission (CPUC) administrative law judge’s recommended decision today to grant the utilities’ applications for a Certificate of Public Convenience and Necessity (CPCN) for the proposed Southern Colorado Transmission Improvements Project:

“Tri-State is pleased with Administrative Law Judge Mana Jennings-Fader’s recommended decision today to grant the utilities CPCN applications.

Tri-State, together with Public Service Company of Colorado, its partner in this critical project, are evaluating the conditions that Judge Jennings-Fader recommends be imposed on the CPCN for the project and will address those conditions, as necessary, in the further proceedings in the docket.

Tri-State is confident the proposed project best serves the residents, businesses, farmers and ranchers of Southern Colorado by providing access to a reliable supply of electricity, while facilitating the development of renewable energy.”

Additional Project Background

The proposed joint project builds on Tri-State’s previously proposed San Luis Valley Electric System Improvement Project. In 2007, Tri-State was planning lines from the San Luis Valley to Walsenburg to strengthen the region’s electric system, increase reliability for its two electric cooperatives in the region – San Luis Valley Rural Electric Cooperative based in Monte Vista and San Isabel Electric Association based in Pueblo West – and support renewable energy development. That same year, Xcel Energy began planning for transmission projects to better serve renewable energy zones established by Senate Bill 100.

The new joint project addresses both utilities’ goals and provides additional transmission system improvements in southern Colorado.

The applications to the CPUC follow the two power suppliers’ agreement in October 2008 to jointly pursue transmission projects in southern Colorado. The project was identified through the utilities’ participation in the Colorado Coordinated Planning Group, a consortium of utilities and other stakeholders that jointly explore the development of a coordinated transmission network.

Touchstone Energy co-ops help energize 2010 Ronald McDonald House Radiothon

Published on November 18, 2010 in Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Tri-State and the region’s Touchstone Energy cooperatives once again helped make the “Light the House” day-long radiothon on Denver’s KOSI-FM station a huge success this year.  More than $120,000 was raised Nov. 16 to benefit the local Ronald McDonald Houses, which provide lodging and food for families whose children who are being treated for serious illnesses and injuries at metro-area hospitals.

Those who stay in the houses normally live at least 60 miles outside the Denver area and have nowhere else to stay.  Sponsoring this event is an excellent opportunity for Tri-State to support families in its member co-op regions who need to travel and stay in the city while their children are being treated.

“One of the core values that Touchstone Energy cooperatives embrace is commitment to community,” said Jim Van Someren, Tri-State communications manager, “and because the Ronald McDonald House directly supports member-consumers of our co-op communities when they need it most, we’re committed to supporting the facility in the most effective ways we can.”

During the two weeks leading up to the radiothon, KOSI and 15 additional radio stations throughout Tri‐State’s member system service territory in Colorado, Nebraska, New Mexico and Wyoming aired 60‐second promotional vignettes featuring the positive experiences of actual families who have stayed at the facility, followed by a message from Touchstone Energy cooperatives about the value of supporting the communities they serve.

The sponsorship investment also included a “Touchstone Energy Power Hour,” which heightened awareness of the region’s electric co‐ops and provided an opportunity for listeners to match a $1,000 contribution from the co‐ops.

  • If you didn’t get a chance to donate, TEXT “Light” to 50555 and $10 will be added to your mobile phone bill and go directly to the Denver Ronald McDonald Houses.

Electricity charges classrooms in Colorado and Wyoming

Published on November 15, 2010 in Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , .
Students in thousands of classrooms throughout Colorado and Wyoming are learning about electricity in November through an eight-page interactive student newspaper. Tri-State sponsored and provided the content for the publication, which features basic information about electric generation, transmission, renewable energy, safety and energy efficiency.
The Colorado edition – Colorado Reader – is a product of the Colorado Foundation for Agriculture. The Wyoming Agriculture in the Classroom program printed the Wyoming edition, which is a supplement to organization’s annual Country to Classroom publication.
In addition to supplying the publication to the classrooms, Tri-State will be providing 100 copies to each of its Colorado and Wyoming member systems.

Tri-State contributes to 2010 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project

Published on November 12, 2010 in General and Public Outreach. 0 Comments Tags: , .

For the first time ever, Wyoming is providing our nation’s capitol with “The People’s Tree” in celebration of Christmas. The 67-foot Engelmann spruce, from the Bridger-Teton National Forest near Jackson, will be displayed on the front lawn of the U.S. Capitol building through December.

The celebrated and historic event comes at the request of U.S. Senator John Barrasso who asked that Wyoming be given the honor of gifting the tree to the nation. For the second year, Tri-State is a contributor to the 2010 U.S. Capitol Christmas Tree Project, and as such will gain exposure throughout the nation as well as many unique marketing and government relations opportunities.

Escorted by federal officials and traveling in a caravan of approximately 12 vehicles, the tree will spend 19 days touring 22 Wyoming towns and nine states before arriving in Washington, D.C. on November 29th to decorate the west front lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

A valuable set of tools: TSGTRenewableEnergyToolKit.coop

Published on November 11, 2010 in Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy. 0 Comments Tags: .

Tri-State receives hundreds of questions per year from individuals, consumers, developers and others related to renewable energy. We also receive numerous questions about how individuals can work with Tri-State on a renewable energy project. While we try to be as responsive as possible with those questions, we are not always available or in a position to answer all the questions, so we have developed a Web site to help.

The purpose of the Web site is to provide answers to the most frequently asked questions about renewable energy. Member-consumers of electric co-ops can use this tool kit to help determine the next best step in pursuing a renewable resource that can power their homes and businesses, and developers can find answers on how to do business with local electric co-ops and Tri-State.

Tri-State receives upgraded credit rating

Published on November 11, 2010 in General. 0 Comments Tags: , .

Tri-State Generation and Transmission Association’s credit rating has been upgraded by Moody’s Investors Service, benefiting from what the rating agency reports is a “stable outlook, sound financial profile and ample liquidity resources.” The association’s financial ratings were raised from Baa1 to A3.

“Tri-State’s Board of Directors has shown a strong commitment to protect its member cooperatives from the risks in the marketplace while placing the association in a good financial position,” said Ken Anderson, executive vice president and general manager of Tri-State. “This is reflected in the upgrade from Moody’s.”

“Today’s rating action reflects Moody’s view that Tri-State’s future rate setting plans and long-term financial objectives will allow the cooperative to maintain key financial metrics on a level consistent with the higher rating,” stated the Moody’s report.